Hey, It’s Our Country, Too

We’re pretty much “newsed” out around here, having watched the inauguration festivities all day. There’s a funny moment going on right now at the Commander in Chief Ball for the military, with the new President interviewing some Illinois National Guard troops stationed in Iraq on a big screen via Skype or something like that. He’s been asking the troops the most important question of all for people from Illinois: whether they root for the White Sox or Cubs. All but one of the soldiers questioned has turned out to be a Cubs fan, much to the President’s comically clear frustration.

Earlier in the day, the inaugural address had some surprising moments, including this one that made my ears perk up: “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and nonbelievers.” It’s heartening to see a President actually acknowledge that not only do nonbelievers exist, but that this is, in fact, our country, too. Sadly, I don’t think that’s ever happened before in my lifetime.